Wire-stretcher.



No. 836,445. l PATBNTBD NOVLZO, 1906.

G. DfP. HAYGRAT. v

WIRE STRETGHER.

APPLICATION TILED AUG. z3., 1905. l l z SHEETS- SHEET 1.

No. 836,445. PATBNTED NOV. 20, 1906.

I G. D.. P. HAYGRAFT.

WIRE STRETGHER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 2s, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED sTATEs CHARLES D. P. HAYORAFT,

OF FELLOWSHIP, FLORIDA.

WIRE-STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 20, 1906.

Application filed August 28, 1905. Serial No. 276,089.

.'0 @ZZ L11/@0m it may concer-7L:

Be it known that I, CHARLES D. P. HAY- CRAFT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fellowship, in the county of Marion, State of Florida, have invented a new and useful Wire-Stretcher, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in wire-stretchers, and has more particular reference to a device of this class that is especially adapted for use in the construction of woven-wire fences, as well as other kinds of wire fences.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of wire-stretchers and to provide a simple and strong one adapted to be readily attached to a fencepost, compact, but powerful enough to stretch the heaviest woven-wire fence now in use.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure l is a horizontal view of wire-stretcher constructed in accord- Y ance with this invention, showing the wirestretcher attached to fence-post and in working position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 1s end elevation showing operating-lever and post-fastening device. Fig. 4 is a sectional end view showing double-spaced bars and segments, ratchet-bar, hook of operating-pawl, locking-pawl, and springs on rolled shoulders of locking-pawl.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in all figures of the. drawings.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, A A are double-spaced bars held apart by space-lugs a a u, riveted or bolted together, having curved arms, and to the middle of the straight portion of the bars and on the outside of each bar is riveted a segment. In the arms of the double-spaced bars, between bars and space-lugs, is T-shaped drivedog E, slotted for bolt, which holds the same into its place.

At the open end of and between doublespaced bars A A is pivoted curved bar F, notched on the outer edge, on which slides the adjustable drive-dog G, slotted for the said curved bar, with sliding catch g. Pushing the sliding catch g into any notch in the curved bar F makes the adjustable drive-dog G stationary on the said bar at that point.

\ Between doublespaced bars A A is the ratchet-b ar D, movably mounted on two pivoted rollers H H. (Shown in Fig. l by dotted circles.)

Fastened to the ratchet-bar D by the laplink L is wire-engaging clamp W. On operating-lever is pivoted a spring Qc,v hand-lever connected by a rod c to a flanged hook-operating pawl C, carried by operating-lever B, which is fulcrumed near one end on the pivoted roller H. Pressing on hand-lever l) causes operating-pawl C to engage the teeth in ratchet-bar.

The two yoke-shaped locking-pawls R R, working on outside of double-spaced bars, are pivoted on the same pivot as the rollers H H. These pawls have at each end outwardly-extending integral tubular sleeves or shoulders R R', which form extended bearings on the bolts H H. The locking-pawls are automatically held against ratchet-bar by springs S S, which are fastened to outside of bars A A, working around the sleeves R R and fastened to thumb-catches T T. Thumbcatches are used to raise locking-pawls out of notches in the ratchet-bar. The stationary wire-engaging clamp Z on bar is used to hold wire while splicing and is not used when stretcher is attached to post. The keys K K are used to hold locking-pawls clear of ratchet-bar.

To operate the device, the locking-pawls R R are thrown back and locked by keys K K and the ratchet-bar D pulled out until stopped by stop-pin in bar. Push keys K K out of notches in locking-pawls and let the pawls R R down on ratchet-bar D. If barb or cable wire is to be stretched, use wire-engaging clamp W. If woven wire is to be stretched, remove wire-engaging clamp W from lap-link L and insert in lap-link a plowclevis. Fasten the plow-clevis around the center of wooden clamp that has been'bolted to woven wire. Pull wire-stretcher back until curved arm can slip by post. Then let the arm rest solidly against the post. Drive dog E into post and move adjustable drive-dog G where desired on bar. Push the sliding catch g on drive-dog G into notch of curved bar F and push said bar around until point of dri vedog G touches the post and drive the drivedog Gr into the fence-post. Push operatinglever back toward the fence-post to which stretcher is attached, press on the hand-lever b until it forces hook of operating-pawl C Vdown into the notch of ratchet-bar D, then IOO IIO

pull operating-lever B toward wire being stretched. The locking-pawls R R will make a clicking sound as the pawls drop down into the notches of ratchet-bar D, and pawls will prevent any re verse movement of the ratchet-bar. Repeat the operation with operating-lever B and hand-lever l), holding both levers during the pulling until the wire is taut.

The vinvention has the following advantages: 'The wire-stretcher possesses great strength and durability by having doublespaced bars, each bar and curved arm being one solid piece. The curved arm of stretcher with drive-dog and a pivoted curved bar with an adjustable drive-dog makes a strong post-fastening readily attached to any post.

The segments being an arc makes it the strongest Jframe that can be devised upon which an operating-lever can be ulcrumed. rIhe operating-lever being fulcrumed on pivoted roller between segments makes it easier to operate and gives the lever greater wearingsurface at its fulcrum. The operating-pawl is not dependent on a.coilspring or gravitation for its action; but the pawl being connected by a rod to hand-le ver pivoted to operating-le ver makes the action of operating-pawl positive by pressure on hand-lever. The two automatic locking-pawls divide the strain caused by tension on wire equally between them. If for any reason one of the locking-pawls should fail to work, the other pawl will engage the ratchet-bar and prevent reverse movement or' the bar. Ii' for any reason one of the locking-pawl springs should fail, the other spring on the opposite side of the pawl will force the pawl into the notch in ratchetbar, thus locking it.

It is evident that many changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts in my device, and I claim all such as come within the scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, I claim the following as new and desire to secure Letters Patent therefor:

1. In a wire-stretcher, comprising doublespaced bars A A, a segment riveted to the middle of the straight portion of and on the outside of each bar, each bar ha ving a curved arm, the bars being held apart by spacinglugs a e a and rigidly bolted together to form the frame of the stretcher, substantially as described.

2.- In a wire-stretcher, the combination with parallel curved frame-bars, spacing-lugs between bars, and securing means passed through bars and lugs, the curved portion of the bars, adapted to receive a fence-post, a post-engaging T-shaped drive-dog E mounted in the curved portion of the bars, a slot in the dog, a bolt through the slot and bars, a curved bar F pivoted between the framebars and notched in its outer edge and a postengaging drive-dog G adjustable on the bar and having a catch g adapted to be pushed into any notch in the bar to make the dog stationary on the said bar, substantiallyas described.

3. In a wire-stretcher, in combination, a frame comprising parallel bars, spacing-lugs between the bars, bolts passed through bars and lugs, a post-engaging means pivoted between the parallel bars, rollers H H journaled in said bars on bolts H H the toothed ratchet-bar D movable on the rollers, a wireclamp W connected to the ratchet-bar, means for actuating bar and means for locking the said bar, substantially as described.

4. In a wire-stretcher, the combination of parallel spaced bars Yforming a guideway, a post-securing means connected to the bars, rollers journaled in the bars, a ratchet-bar movable on the rollers, segments secured to the bars carrying a roller H, an operating-lever B iulcrumed on roller H, a flanged operating-pawl C pivoted to the lever and arranged to engage the ratchet-bar, a springactuated hand-lever l) on the lever B, a rod c connecting the pawl and hand-lever and means 'for locking the ratchet-bar, substantially as described.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of spaced bars forming a guideway, a post-securing means connected to the bars, rollers journaled in the bars, a ratchetbar movable on the rollers, segments secured to the bars and having a roller journaled therein, an operating-le ver fulcrumed on the roller, and having a yoke-shaped end, a spring-actuated hand-le ver on the operatinglever, a flanged pawl pivoted in the yoke end of the operating-lever to actuate the ratchetbar, a rod connecting the pawl and hand-lever, yoke-shaped locking-pawls R R pivoted to the spaced bars on bolts H H and engaging the ratchet-bar and springs S S S S normally holding the last-mentioned pawls in operative position substantially as shown and described.

CHARLES D. I. HAYCRAFT.

Witnesses:

HARRY B. CLARKsoN, HERBERT W. JONES.

IOC 

